Leeds United made ‘serious offers’ for £15m player in the summer, could remain interested

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Leeds United finally made a move to sign Ao Tanaka on deadline day but only after being linked with a whole host of midfield options, including the likes of Gustavo Hamer.

Japan star Tanaka arrives after being linked with Leeds for 12 months, with Daniel Farke said to have been a keen admirer of the former Fortuna Dusseldorf ace. Leeds have signed Tanaka for a fee of just £3.4m.

A welcome addition in midfield after Leeds waved goodbye to both Glen Kamara and Archie Gray, and required some midfield reinforcement. Joe Rothwell has arrived at Elland Road on a season-long loan.

Leeds now look well-balanced in midfield with the addition of Tanaka alongside Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, while youngster Charlie Crew is looking for his debut after another call-up to the Wales squad.

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Leeds could have signed £15m Premier League player

Leeds’ tactic in the transfer window was to wait until the latter stages and see which players become available as everything gets a bit frantic. One that looked available was Bournemouth’s Philip Billing.

The 28-year-old Dane has fallen down the pecking order under Andoni Iraola. Leeds wanted Billing but the midfielder turned Leeds down, with the Cherries ace unwilling to drop into the Championship.

The “outstanding” star stayed put even though Gune Bakis says Leeds made ‘serious offers’ for Billing and are still keen. But as is the way, Turkish clubs are now linked with their window open until September 13.

Billing move would now be a surprise, harsh on Charlie Crew

With Tanaka signed, Leeds have what they need in midfield. Two holding midfielders for the no.4 role in Ampadu and Gruev, and two more attacking midfielders to go alongside in Tanaka and Rothwell.

Crew is a top, top talent and is showing plenty of signs he will be the next breakthrough talent to make it at Elland Road. Having already earned caps for Wales, it would certainly come as no surprise if he does.

So, a move to bring in another midfielder would not only be a waste of resources, but it would stunt a potential pathway into the side for Crew. That changes of course, if Leeds suffer a few midfield injuries.